My T said this once! I was fascinated. It took me a minute to figure out why it seemed like such an insincere thing to say. I finally asked, "Are they, though? Are feelings always valid? Can't feelings be over-reactions? Or unfair? What if they're catastrophizing, irrational, or black-and-white? Are they still valid, then?"

If my husband offers me a muffin and I slap it out of his hand shouting '**** YOU! DON'T PATRONIZE ME!' is my outrage really valid? If I mess up at work and decide I'm therefore a useless **** and should just jump off a bridge, is that a valid feeling? What if I feel the CIA is monitoring my thoughts via an unsanctioned brain implant? Are my paranoia and fear valid?

Sadly, this just seemed to confuse my T. It's as though he'd spent years and years telling people their feelings were valid and never once thought about why.

Anyway, sorry you felt patronized by your T. I hope ya'll can work it out.